Opposite sides of the social issue coin

Today I got this press release, and I’ll quote Dr. James Dobson’s portion of it:

I seldom make political endorsements, but it is with a sense of great urgency that I announce my support for Dr. Andy Harris in the February 12th primary election for the U.S. House in Maryland’s 1st District. It is imperative that Dr. Harris win this contest!

His opponent, Representative Wayne Gilchrest (who currently holds the seat in the House), is opposed to nearly everything that you and I hold dear, beginning with the sanctity of life. Rep. Gilchrest has the dubious distinction of receiving a 100% voting rating from the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), the nation’s leading pro-abortion advocacy group. He has even voted to make people like you and me provide funding for abortions through our tax dollars!

There are other major concerns, as well. Rep. Gilchrest opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would protect traditional marriage from attacks by gay activists. He has also voted to allow homosexuals to adopt children.

In stark contrast to Rep. Gilchrest, Dr. Andy Harris would be a splendid pro-family, pro-life voice in the House – just as he has been in the Maryland Senate. His willingness to take on a sitting U.S. Congressman is itself a testament to his tremendous courage and resolve. His defeat of Wayne Gilchrest on February 12th would send a strong signal that the days of anti-family, liberal Republicans are finally over.

Please know that I am sending this letter as a private individual, and not as a representative of the organizations I lead. That being said, I want to urge you, once again, to cast your vote in the upcoming primary election for Dr. Andy Harris for the United States House of Representatives.

Dr. Dobson joins Phyllis Schafly and her Eagle Forum, another organization that claims the pro-family mantle, in endorsing Harris. After Dobson’s announcement, Harris responded, “I am humbled by the support of one of our nation’s foremost pro-family advocates. I am proud of my pro-life and pro-family record in Annapolis.”

Conversely, the woman who is “hostess” of Mainstream Shoreposted that Wayne Gilchrest was recently recognized as an “American Hero” by the Log Cabin Republicans. For those not familiar with the group, it’s an organization catering to the gay and lesbian Republican population. Here’s what the Log Cabin group had to say about Wayne:

Congressman Gilchrest has courageously defended freedom and fairness for all Americans during more than 15 years in Congress. He stood with Log Cabin in 2004 and 2006 by voting against the anti-family marriage amendment. Congressman Gilchrest is also one of Log Cabin’s strongest allies in the fight to end the military’s discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. He is a co-sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces. He said, “Not only does it [Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell] take money away from purchasing armor for Humvees, there’s a lot of very skilled people that are being taken out of the military who are hard to replace.

While I don’t agree with that particular stance, it’s not something which would keep me from voting for Wayne if he were the nominee. The issue I take with the author of Mainstream Shore is her characterization of Andy Harris as “intolerant” and a “mean-spirited bigot” because he tends to vote against items near and dear to the gay and lesbian population. Personally, I really don’t care all that much whether consenting adults who sleep together are of the same sex, I’m just not a big fan of condoning same-sex marriage and the like. I also completely disagree with the concept of “hate crimes” because to me murder is murder, assault is assault, etc. Likely it puts me in her “intolerant” category but to me it’s just a difference of opinion based on life outlook.

The jury is still out (and probably will be for awhile longer) on whether preferring the same sex comes from nature, nurture, or a combination of both. If sexual preference is something that is chosen, then understanding the consequences of the choice (such as not being able to be open about your sexual preference in the military, marrying your partner, or adopting a child in some states) should be part of making it, knowing that many among society oppose these items for what they consider valid reasons. It doesn’t make them all “mean-spirited bigots” simply because they don’t agree with what you think, all the name-calling does is hurt your argument.

Author

Join the conversation!

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, vulgarity, profanity, all caps, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain a courteous and useful public environment where we can engage in reasonable discourse.